2025 Maternity Care Report
The Leapfrog Group just released their 2025 Maternity Care Report (Access full report here), and it’s packed with data every expecting parent, educator, and care provider should know. If you’ve been following trends in U.S. maternity care, some of these findings won’t surprise you—but others might raise an eyebrow or two.
Let’s unpack the major takeaways and what they mean for families—especially if you’re preparing for birth in Tucson or teaching others to do so.
NTSV C-Section Rates Remain High
One of the most persistent challenges in maternity care is the rate of low-risk cesareans—those done in first-time moms at full-term with a single baby in head-down position (aka “NTSV C-sections”). Despite national conversations and provider education, the report shows no improvement in these rates. This signals an urgent need for continued education and advocacy.
Racial Disparities in C-Section Rates
For the first time, hospitals reported racial and ethnic disparities in C-section rates—1 in 5 hospitals reported differences between Black and White patients. That’s a big deal. It’s one thing to hear anecdotal evidence, but Leapfrog’s data now confirms what birth workers have long observed: not all birthing people receive equal care.
Episiotomy Rates Continue to Drop
There is good news. Since Leapfrog started reporting on episiotomies in 2012, rates have improved by 73%. This unnecessary intervention is finally falling out of favor. It’s a small but meaningful win for physiologic birth and trauma prevention.
More Hospitals Support Evidence-Based Practices
Most hospitals now report having policies to prevent early elective deliveries, and nearly all offer access to doulas and lactation consultants. These are massive shifts in the right direction. If you’ve ever felt like you were pushing upstream asking for support, know that tides are turning.
Why the 2025 Maternity Care Report Matters in Tucson and Beyond
You can access hospital-specific data in the Tucson area via the LeapFrog website. Since this is a voluntary reporting system, not every hospital shares its data. Banner UMC, TMC, and Northwest do! You can easily look at how these hospitals perform on key measures surrounding maternal and infant mortality and rates of interventions, like Caesarean and episiotomy. This is just one way you can make an informed decision about your care. In a system where it can be difficult to make your voice heard, choosing to spend your healthcare dollars where you are respected sends a clear message.
Leapfrog’s latest findings are a wake-up call in some areas and a celebration in others. It reminds us that maternity care is evolving—but not fast enough. As educators, providers, and parents, staying informed is the first step toward safer, more equitable births.
Ready to dive deeper into what this means for your birth plan? Check out our classes and start building your Plan A, B, and C with confidence.